Last week, I lost a friend. Jon Kruse is well-known to many in my district. He served his community of Storm Lake for many years in various leadership roles, on city council, and serving as mayor. He had a passion for conservation. His impact on the lake restoration projects and his 45 years of work with Ducks Unlimited is immeasurable. Jon was instrumental in supporting my role as an Iowa Senator through his role as Buena Vista County GOP chairman. He was the first to call and encourage me to run for office. But more importantly, Jon was my friend and a mentor. Anything I am able to do for northwest Iowa or our state will never measure up to his accomplishments. Heaven gained a truly great man.
This week is our second legislative deadline of the year, pushing us to focus on getting bills received from the House of Representatives through subcommittee and committee this week.
One bill that passed last week is Senate File 2381, known as the Patient’s Right to Save Act. By incentivizing cost-sharing with cash payment options that are cheaper than the insurance negotiated prices, it will reduce unnecessarily, expensive treatments that have no guarantee of high-quality care. This bill is one way we can help patients, especially those with chronic conditions, have more dollars in their pockets and not tied up in rising healthcare bills.
The Iowa Senate also passed a bill, SF 2370, to require a rolling five-year review of all administrative rules. Additionally, the bill requires a jobs impact statement for any rule an agency proposes that may have an impact on private sector jobs.
A recent poll of Iowans conducted for Iowans for Tax Relief shows broad and strong public support for an amendment to the Iowa Constitution requiring a supermajority to raise taxes or pass a new tax on Iowans. The poll also showed support for putting into the Constitution a requirement for a single income tax rate, commonly referred to as a flat tax. The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced those policies last week as amendments to the Iowa Constitution. The focus for every discussion on taxes must be on the taxpayer. Iowans work diligently to put food on the table and provide shelter, clothing, and transportation for their families.
March 11-15 is nationally recognized as Civic Learning Week. Participating in Iowa elections is one of the most important ways to be involved civically. Take the time to learn more about Iowa’s voting process with the Iowa Secretary of State’s video series.
With this Citizens’ Guide to Voting, Iowans can learn how to register to vote, how Iowa manages voter rolls, and the absentee voting process.
Participate in Civic Learning Week by visiting VotingProcess.Iowa.Gov and learn more about Iowa’s civic process.
Check your voter registration status at VoterReady.Iowa.Gov.